Rising demand at food banks seen as ‘canary in the coal mine’ for affordability crisis

As a single mother on a fixed income, Kelly Tysick is finding it increasingly challenging to make ends meet in her Montreal borough of Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. With rents skyrocketing and the cost of food becoming unmanageable on her budget, Tysick is one of many Canadians struggling to put food on the table.

During a recent visit to the Depot Community Food Centre, a local non-profit organization dedicated to addressing food insecurity, Tysick expressed her frustration at the rising cost of living. “I feel like it used to be affordable living, but now it’s beyond belief,” she said.

Tasha Lackman, the executive director of the Depot Community Food Centre, echoed Tysick’s sentiments, noting that demand for their services has tripled in the span of two years. The organization now serves approximately 1,800 families a month, with a waiting list in place due to capacity constraints.

Across Canada, nearly one in four people experiences some form of food insecurity, according to Lackman. She believes that food insecurity is a symptom of a broken system that fails to address the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities. Lackman emphasized the need for government intervention to tackle this pressing issue.

Food banks across Canada have seen a record increase in demand in recent years, with more than two million monthly visits in 2024 — nearly double the rate seen five years prior, according to Food Banks Canada. Kirstin Beardsley, the CEO of the organization, highlighted the silent nature of food insecurity during the recent election and called on federal parties to commit to reducing food insecurity by half by 2030.

The rising cost of food is further exacerbated by inflation, with the Bank of Canada predicting a three to five per cent increase in food prices this year compared to 2024. Pascal Thériault, an economist at McGill University, noted that food prices are rising at a faster rate than general inflation, particularly due to factors like the trade war with the United States.

While some Canadians are trying to buy local, affordability remains a significant concern. Beardsley emphasized that food insecurity is not just about food prices, but about incomes and affordability. She called on the government to address the housing crisis, improve assistance for low-income workers, and strengthen Canada’s social safety net.

In the run-up to the federal election, the main political parties have put forth various proposals to address food prices and affordability. The Liberals have pledged to invest in agriculture and reduce income tax, while the Conservatives plan to build more homes and lower income tax brackets. The NDP aims to regulate grocery pricing practices and tax windfall profits of major retailers, while the Greens prioritize building more social housing. The Bloc Québécois seeks to increase old age security payments and improve child benefits to tackle affordability.

As Canadians like Kelly Tysick continue to face financial hardships, the need for government action to address food insecurity and affordability has never been more urgent. The upcoming election presents an opportunity for policymakers to prioritize the needs of vulnerable individuals and families struggling to make ends meet.